---
title: "Exclusive: Ex-Aston Villa star says Emiliano Martinez is on Jan Oblak’s level"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-ex-aston-villa-star-says-emiliano-martinez-is-on-jan-oblaks-level-transfers-rumour-atletico-madrid-arsenal-e126/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Caleb Sage"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-05-24T05:15:16Z"
modified: "2021-05-24T05:15:16Z"
---

# Exclusive: Ex-Aston Villa star says Emiliano Martinez is on Jan Oblak’s level

**Emiliano Martinez is on the same level as Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak, claims former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie.**

This comes after [reports from Spain](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/euro-transfer-gossip-juventus-man-utd-telles-rabiot-kean-everton-arsenal-draxler) last month suggested that the Spanish outfit could make a move for Martinez if they lose Oblak this summer.

Martinez has been a revelation at Villa since joining from Arsenal last year, ranking among the top three goalkeepers for [clean sheets](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/weisseweste/pokalwettbewerb/GB1) kept in the Premier League this season.

\[freshpress-poll id=”357861″\]

And for Hendrie, the 28-year-old is in the same category as Oblak, who has a staggering [£120m](https://www.football-espana.net/2020/08/24/calm-tension-at-atletico-madrid-on-goalkeeper-jan-oblak) release clause.

When asked in an exclusive interview with **TT** whether Martinez was on the same level as the Slovenia international amid Atletico’s reported interest, the ex-Villa player said:

*“Yeah, one hundred percent, one hundred percent. I was surprised that Martinez was actually allowed to come to the football club if I’m being deadly honest. I actually looked at \[Bernd\] Leno and I just thought that Martinez was the one that I would have kept.*

*“You look at his stats this season and he’s been top* *drawer. When you’re being classed as a top goalkeeper in the Premier League, yes, there’s no doubt about it. When you compare levels, he’s definitely on that level.”*

Looking at Oblak’s release clause, it is hard to imagine any team coming in for him. But, based on this season, Martinez could be a good replacement if he did end up departing the Wanda Metropolitano.